sanctification

1 the act of making something holy through religious ritual the sacred site required another sanctification after it had been defiled by the invaders Synonyms blessing, hallowing, consecrationRelated Words purification; dedication; adoration, glorification, reverence, veneration, worshipNear Antonyms debasement, defilement, desecration, impiety, irreverence, profanation, sacrilege

2 the act or fact of freeing from sin or moral guilt the Christian belief that the suffering and death of Jesus was responsible for the sanctification of all humankind Synonyms cleansing, purificationRelated Words rebirth, regeneration, restoration; grace, redemption, salvation; absolution, forgiveness, remission; acquittal, clearance, clearing, exoneration, vindication; atonement, expiationNear Antonyms blasphemy, defilement, desecration, profanation, violation; corruption, debasement, perversion; contamination, pollution, sullying, tarnishing